A/N: Sorry for going AWOL on you guys. I had a lot going on at school between testing and 8th grade graduation. Then I found out someone I used to be close friends with was a psychopath and a liar. Actually I already knew that but one of my other friends finally figured that out and she dragged me into her drama and then tried to steal my best friend, but you guys don't really care about that crap so I'm gonna shut up about all that. I'll try to have another update by the end of this week but no guarantees. I'm going to church camp next week so if I don't update later this week I probably will in two weeks.
Alison POV
My life is over. I have to tell my husband about the 16 year old daughter I have with Ezra Fitz. Andrew is going to kill me. He told everything about him, including his past with Conner's crazy birth mother. He gonna be so hurt that I could allow him to open up about all that but still keep my past a secret. When I hear Andrew's truck pull into the driveway I dash into the kitchen and grab a couple of beers to help lighten the mood. Anytime I have to tell Andrew somthing I know will piss him off, I just grab a couple of beers, which helps distract him from angry he really is.
Another crappy thing about today, Spencer issued a new dress code which forces the CEO, her, and the executive directors, me and Emily, to wear a suit everyday. Me in a pants suit or skirt suit?! Has she lost her mind? I usually just wear a dress and a blazer like Hanna does and get away with it, but today Spencer picked out my outfit for me. This hideous pant suit makes my thighs look huge, and the pumps she gave me are all wrong. There's no way to look hot in this mess! I'm not a hot mess, just a mess mess! It's terrible!
When I hear Andrew's key turn inside the front door, I quickly lose a few buttons and open the beers. He easily get distracted from his anger if he's drinking and has something to look at.
"That outfit looks ridiculous on you!" Andrew laughs
"Tell that to Spencer! She's the one who made me wear this hideous thing in the first place!" I whine
He hangs up his coat, drops his briefcase on the floor, walks over to me, and wraps his arms around my waist.
"It may look ridiculous, but leave it to my wife to make anything look good." he says, and kisses me softly
"How was your day?" I ask, pulling away
"Better, now that I'm here." he says
I lead him to the couch and hand him a beer.
"Thanks." he says, taking a sip with one hand, and loosening his tie with the other
"Why are you all dressed up? That's your best suit." I ask
"We closed a major deal today. I needed my lucky suit to do the trick. Watson, the guy we've been trying to get to invest for months finally caved, and he's a huge materialist. Only way to get his attention is with money and expensive things. We thought looking like money could help." he explains
"That's great Babe! Anything else happen?" I ask, sensing a hint of depression in his tone
"My boss announced his retirement today. Watson is a good friend of his, and since he doesn't have any kids, I think he's leaving the business to Watson. Watson's only 43, so I doubt he wants to retire anytime soon. The guy is a pretentious douche. I don't wanna work for him, but he would help bring in a lot more money which could mean a possible raise." he says
"Aria said that Jason may be getting promoted. He thinks that once his boss retires, he'll leave the company to Jason. If you invest, Jason might even let you be his partner in a couple of years. Why don't you talk to him before making any real decisions." I suggest
"Yeah ok, that could work. Now to you, how was your day?" Andrew asks
"Well we had a bunch of boring staff meeting all day, but before that Dt. Lane and his team, along with Lt. Cavanaugh raided the place. They figured out the killer was some kid named Rydar Laykins who we fired around the time of the murder. He blames Mr. Shane for being fired for some reason and the cops think that someone at S&E is helping him hide out. He has no job, no known relatives, and he was recently evicted from him condo. He had to have gotten help from someone." I say
"That's not what I meant. Something happened today that you know will piss me off. That's why you shoved a beer and your boobs in my face. I'm sorry you had a crappy day, but what are you hiding?" he asks
"Remember how I told you that Ezra and I used to be together before we disappeared?" I ask
"Oh my gosh! He got you pregnant didn't he!" Andrew exclaims
"Her name is Caitlyn and she's 16. Her and Ezra are living here in L.A." I reply
"Oh my gosh, the secrets never stop with you, do they!" he shouts
"If it makes you feel any better, none of my friends, or my brother knew about Caitlyn either." I say
"How is admitting that you lied to everyone supposed to make me feel better?" he asks angrily
Before I get the chance to answer, someone begins beating rapidly on our front door. Andrew signals for me to stay back while he slowly moves toward the door and looks outside. He glances back at me before he reluctantly opens the door.
"Let me guess your Caitlyn..." his voice trails off
"C-Caitlyn!" I exclaim
Andrew steps out the way and lets her in to reveal and bruised eye, bloody nose, and a busted lip.
Line Break
Andrew and I lead Caitlyn into the downstairs bathroom so the kids won't notice her while we clean her up. The nanny had already fed them and given them their bath by the time I go home. They're probably just happy to have extra t.v. time before bed since I haven't come up yet.
"What happened to you Sweetie?" Andrew asks, handing her an ice pack
"Did Ezra do this?" I ask
"No! Dad would never hurt me." she says
"Then who did?" Andrew asks
"I went out with this guy, Chase. When I refused to go back to his place, he started hitting me then dumped me on the side of the road. I was too afraid to go home because I was already out past curfew so I called an Uber to drop me off here and told Dad that I was staying over at a friends." She confesses
"Ok, I'm gonna go call Ezra because if finds out you were here without his knowledge, he might not let me see you anymore." I sigh
"Please don't! Dad get really scary when he's mad. I want to stay here with you." she begs
"Caitlyn, I don't know." I tell her
"Mom, please don't make me go back there. I wanna stay here. Dad's been lashing out a lot lately. He says I'm a stupid slut just like you were and that he won't become a grandpa this young. He said he's about to kick me out and leave me on my ass so he can go back home and try to repair his marriage and keep his kids. He has 6 month old twins, Kasey and Peyton. I'm not sure too sure on the genders. Their either both boys or both girls. I forgot what he said. My point is, this will be the last straw for him. I have to fix things before its too late, so please Mom, don't call him. Its better if I talk to him in person tomorrow." she pleads
"Ok fine, I won't call him." I agree, "But tomorrow, I'm calling my lawyer. I want full custody, and that's what I'm gonna get." I demand
"Mommy?" a little voice asks from the doorway, "Who's she?"
Andrew, Caitlyn, and I all turn around and see Conner and Avery standing in the doorway.
"Conner, Avery, meet Caitlyn, your sister." Andrew says, putting on a fake smile
"Hi." Avery says shyly, latching onto my leg
"Hi Avery. Well aren't you just adorable?" Caitlyn smiles, which seems to scare Avery since her face is all beat up.
"What happened to your face?" Conner asks
"Conner!" Andrew scolds him
"Its ok Andrew, I'm sure my face is pretty scary. Well my face, um lets say that I was with one of my new friends, Chase, and he got mad when I didn't to have a playdate for a lack of a better word. Then he got really mad and he hit me a few times." She tries to explain
"Are you ok Sissy?" He asks with complete concern for his new found sister
"Uh, I will be. Thank you for asking little bro." she assures him
"Where did you come from?" Avery asks curiously
"I'll handle this one." I volunteer. "Avery, princess, a long time ago when Mommy was Caitlyn's age, I had this friend, Ezra, he used to be Auntie Ari's husband before she married Uncle Jason. Me and Ezra decided to have some, lets say 'grown up fun' even though we, well I, was still just a teenager. Nine months later, Caitlyn was born." I explain as best as I possibly can
"What's grown up fun?" Avery whispers to Caitlyn
"Well I wouldn't know because I never had any 'grown up fun', and that's a question for your Mommy and Daddy. They know all about 'grown up fun'. That's how we all got here." Caitlyn says
"Caitlyn she's three! Don't tell her that!" Andrew scolds her
"Ok I think it's time we all went to bed. Conner and Avery, go pick out one bed time story each and wait in Conner's room. Andrew go find something for Caitlyn to sleep in." I order
"Yes M'am." they all reply
"I'm not old. I don't need to be called M'am." I laugh
Line Break
After the kids have heard their bedtime stories, Caitlyn and I walk Avery to her room.
"Caitlyn, will you sleep in my room tonight?" Avery asks, as I tuck her in and give her a goodnight kiss
"Your bed isn't big enough Princess. How about we let her get set up in the guest room tonight and maybe tomorrow night you can sleep in there with her?" I suggest
"That would be great! Then I'd have someone to protect me." Caitlyn agrees
"No, bubba and Daddy are the protectors, but Daddy doesn't like to share the bed with anyone but Mommy. Conner can protect us both tomorrow night." Avery says
"Prefect." Caitlyn says, before we turn to walk out the room. "Maybe Daddy only like to share the bed with Mommy so they can have 'grown up fun'." Caitlyn teases me as we walk out the room
"Oh yeah, definitely. Maybe I should tell you some stories and you won't be so curious to try it out yourself." I tease back
"Eww! Gross! I do not need that visual!" she cries
"C'mon, I'll show you to your room." I laugh
"Hey Mom, you told Avery that you were just a teenager when I was born. How old was Dad?" Caitlyn asks
"Well I met him when I was fifteen and he was about twenty-two. I was pregnant when I went on the run from my stalker. That next year your dad became a teacher at my high school. Everyone thought I was dead at that time and that's when he met Aria, my best friend and his first wife." I explain
"Which one is Aria again?" she asks
"She's the one married to Jason, my brother." I answer
"So my aunt used to be my step-mom. Interesting." she says
The next day
Andrew and the kids prepare breakfast while I take Caitlyn to Ezra's house to get clean clothes and talk about what happened last night.
"You were out with a boy and he beat you because you didn't want to have sex! Who is he! I'll kill him!" Ezra shouts
"Dad, please calm down!" Caitlyn pleads
"And you!" he shouts, directing his attention towards me, "You knew about this and didn't tell me!"
"I thought it would be better for you to hear it from me in person and I didn't want to come home last night. Don't be mad at her." Caitlyn tries to reason with him
"Just shut up and go to your room!" Ezra yells
"But Dad-" she starts
"But nothing! Go to your room!" he yells
Caitlyn looks at me and I nodd in approval. Once she's out earshot things really heat up with me and Ezra.
"Ezra Fitzgerald you are an unfit father! I called my lawyer this morning, and I'm getting full custody!" I shout
"Like hell you are." he says angrily
"She told me how you were planning to kick her out anyway and run back home to your wife and two kids." I argue
"I would never leave her I was just ticked off. When I go back I'm taking her with me." he says
"Over my dead body!" I cry
Caitlyn come running down the stairs, multiple bag in tow.
"Enough!" She cries, "I'm old enough now that if you both are pushing for full custody, I can choose where I want to live, and I choose Mom. I can't trust you Dad. I can't trust that you'll keep me safe and I know that you resent me because I'm the reason you're away from your family."
"You're my family too Caitlyn. Come with me. Come home with me to Boston." he begs
"I'm sorry Dad. If you want to be in my life, bring your family here, then prove that I can trust you, otherwise, I don't know what to tell you. We have to go." Caitlyn apologizes
"My lawyer will be in touch about a possible compromise if you stay in Los Angeles and agree to counseling. Goodbye Ezra.
Line Break
After Caitlyn and I get home, she takes her things to her room and starts to put on make up to hide the bruises on her face while Andrew and I prepare for the little 'Meet Caitlyn' party that I'm throwing.
"How does it look? Does it look somewhat natural?" Caitlyn asks, referring to her make up
I take her face in my hand and examine it carefully.
"If you want it completely covered, you're gonna need to put on more make up Baby." I tell her
"But it hurts so bad!" she whines
"I know but you gotta toughen up. If your Uncle Jason sees that, he'll go ballistic. And Toby, he'll go all cop mode and start questioning you like it's an interrogation." I say
"Wait, who are they again?" she asks
"Jason is my half brother through my mother. He's the one married to your dad's ex-wife, Aria. Jason also has a half sister, Spencer, through his father. Toby is Spencer's husband." I explain
"Got it. Who's the one with the little brother my age?" she asks
"Hanna's mom and step-dad recently adopted a 16 year old boy named Ricky. Hanna's husband Caleb also has a younger half brother named James, he's 17 or 18 I think." I explain
"Ok, thanks even though I'll probably forget this later."
Line Break
Andrew is outside taking the hot dogs and hamburgers off the grill while Caitlyn and I bring out drinks and chips. Caitlyn finally gets to meet my friends. I'm so excited but nervous at the same time. Caitlyn pushes open the sliding door while carrying a tray of drinks. When she looks up, her jaw hits the floor along with the drinks.
"Oh my gosh! Call the cops! Call the cops!" Caitlyn cries
"Hey, I'm a cop. What's wrong Caitlyn?" Toby asks, rushing over towards her
"H-him." she stutters, pointing her shaky finger towards James
"What? What about him?" Caleb asks, realizing it's his own brother that has her so shaken up
"That's Chase! That's the guy who beat me when I refused to go back to his place after our date!" She cries, tears now streaming down her face
James bolts for the gate but Caleb runs after him and tackles him to the ground.
"You wanna explain to me why Alison's daughter thinks your a guy named 'Chase' who beat her for not wanting to hook up with him?" Caleb asks his brother angrily
Hanna shoots Ricky the death glare, knowing her little brother probably knows something.
"'Chase' is the name he uses when he after a girl. He takes her out on a date, hook's up with her, ignores her, and makes her 'chase' after him. He been teaching me to do the same. He says its a good way to create options." Ricky confesses
"Did you know what he did to her?" Hanna asks her brother angrily
"No. I promise." Ricky says
"Caitlyn if you wanna press charges, by all means do so. This idiot needs to be taught a lesson." Caleb offers
I can tell by the look on her face that my daughter is spooked so I answer for her.
"Toby, call an officer and have them pick James up. Now!" I bark
"I'll take him myself. I'm not gonna risk having some idiot uniform cop who isn't worthy of a badge screw things up." he says, picking James up off the ground
Caleb brushes the dirt off of him and makes his way over to Caitlyn and I.
"Caitlyn, I'm so sorry about him." Caleb apologizes, "Alison, can I talk to you inside for a minute?" he asks
"If you're gonna ask for us not to press charges or something then you can forget it. Caitlyn has been through way too much here recently." I object
"And I completely understand. By all means, press charges. I want to talk to you about something else." he says
"Fine." I agree after a moment of deliberation
Caleb pushes open the sliding door, allowing me to go in first. Andrew leads Caitlyn inside behind us and takes her up to her room while Jason walks in to get the broom and clean up the broken glass. Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Maya whisper amongst themselves while the kids continue to play in the pool. Hanna whispers something to the girls then takes Ricky out through the back gate. So much for a party.
Line Break
"Alright, you wanted to talk, so talk." I order impatiently
"I'm glad you're pressing charges. James needs to start facing the consequences of his poor decisions." He starts
"Poor decision? He beat my daughter because she didn't want to sleep with! Poor decision is an understatement!" I cry
"Ali! Keep your voice down! Do you want Caitlyn to hear?" He whisper shouts
"You are in my house, don't tell me what to do!" I bark
"As I was saying. He needs to face the consequences of his actions. I know that my apology doesn't fix nor change anything, but I am truly sorry. He's been having a really hard time at home lately. He got kicked out of his dorm at school so he's back home with Mom and Billy now which they really aren't happy about." he says
"What happened at school?" I ask
"Clay went to school there too. Clay was known for being a bad boy and a troublemaker. James was usually the good one. It was always 'Bad boy Dawson and Good girl Dawson'. Yes, they used to call James a girl. When James went back to school after Clay died people would always point and whisper. One day his roommate invited him to a frat party. Everyone kept calling him 'That dead kid's little brother'. He got mad, started throwing punches. Instead of him kicking him out of school, given the situation, they just kicked him out the dorm and placed him on probation." he explains
"Wow. I had no idea." I say
"James has been acting out a lot lately. For Mom I was the oldest. Oldest and youngest stereotypically are the favorites. Then there was the fact that I had my own tech company, beautiful wife, two amazing kids. My life was pretty great. James was the baby which earned him a lot of favoritism at home. Clay felt like he was just the middle kid no one cared about so he would always act out to gain attention. Mom basically shut everyone out after he died, kinda like I did. James started sneaking out, drinking and doing drugs. Huge downward spiral. He had a stint in rehab, but now that he's hit rock bottom, it's hard for him to come back up. Most people say that once you hit rock bottom, the only way left to go is up. Obviously those people have never been at rock bottom or they would know how hard it is to get back up. I've been there, and it nearly cost me everything." he explains
"I'm glad you told me. I think I'm gonna talk to Toby and see if he can get the DA and James's lawyer to make a deal where he spends more time in rehab rather then in a jail cell. He needs help and he can't get that in jail." I say
"Thanks Alison. I know me and you have really never seen eye to eye in the past, but I can guarantee you this is the right decision." he says
Line Break
After everything that happened with James and Caitlyn, we decided to cut the party short. No one was really up to celebrating, least of all Caitlyn. At least one good thing came from all this. Caitlyn finally started to see me as her Mom, not the person who abandoned her when she was born.
I had a totally different idea for the whole 'Meet Caitlyn' thing but I started writing and this happened and this is the best version of this chapter I've written and I usually have to write several different ones before I find the right on and this is what you got. Ok I don't even know what I'm really ranting about at this point. Anyways don't forget to ~Stay weird